Her

Just a short story, very short

I sit, watching her reflection in the mirror. Repeated actions of the brush running through thick curls, snagging on knots that stubbornly refuse to give way. I wonder; does she look different today, this woman I see?

For a few moments I give and study the visage I see, under close scrutiny I can say with surety that she hasn't changed since yesterday. Still the same, unchanged.

Oh of course there are wrinkles there under her eyes where none used to be, and shoots of softest silver at her temples, the eyes that have become so familiar I notice now seem a shade brighter than before. I realize, shocked, that while I watched she continuously changed. From the days of my youth to now, abashed at how I couldn't have noticed, every day had brought something different to her. Curious how until recently I hadn't bothered to look as closely as I should, every waking moment she's becoming a different person from the one I knew before.

But these miniscule alterations had gone unnoticed, until now.

She, the one who matters most to me, familiar and strange. Raised in her arms before taught to walk, guided by the hand for a short time before sending me out to the world, how couldn't I have seen this woman change right before my eyes.

Memories flash and I see her smile, that day at the creek, it doesn't seem that long ago. Chasing a dog with a broken tail as we laughed breathlessly, the summer sun reflecting off the windows as we drove down dusty back roads.

I wonder, how long has it been since I told her I love her?

How long has it been since I actually had a conversation with her, sat down and talked about nothing and everything? A pain in my heart tells me its been too long.

So...I'll get the kettle boiling mom, what kind of tea do you want today?

© 2015 Cherry_blossom_red

Author's Note

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Featured Review

Susanna

I cried. I recently lost my Mom to cancer in August 2015 and this one pierced my heart.

Life gets in the way. We don't pay attention to those around us like we should. Our parents age without us knowing until one day we really LOOK and SEE. And suddenly, we realize how much time that has passed and how much we have missed out on. We never know how much time we have left with our parents or anyone. This story tells me to MAKE TIME.

Love it.